The New South Wales (NSW) Veterans Employment Program was launched on 5 May 2016. It sits within the NSW Office for Veterans Affairs with extensive inter-agency collaboration, the program is leading the way in employment initiatives to support veterans in the state. The NSW Office for Veterans Affairs is recognised as a Veteran Employer of Choice via the Veteran Employment Commitment.
The NSW Veterans Employment Program in partnership with NSW Office of Local Government, Local Government NSW and the United Services Union developed the Local Government Rank to Grade Guide in 2019.
The NSW Veterans Employment Program has also created a transition pathway for veterans and partners to gain employment within local governments. It has helped 32 NSW local governments of the 128 local governments across the state of NSW to set up their own form of veteran employment program. Their programs vary, with some developing their own websites and others creating pilot employment expos and information sessions. Participating councils have implemented activities such as encouraging veterans to apply for roles, including a veteran indicator question on all applications and providing specific application feedback if a veteran requests it.
These councils are promoted via the NSW Veterans Employment Program website and attend bi-annual meetings to collaborate and share ideas on what is successful and challenging in the space. The NSW Veterans Employment Program continues to build and promote its network of local government and is working to promote this veteran and partner employment pathway nationally.